SALISBURY – A proposed operating budget of $173 million was submitted to county leaders this week.
On Tuesday, Acting County Executive John Psota presented the Wicomico County Council with his proposed operating budget beginning July 1. He said the spending plan, totaling $173,908,637, represents an 7.6% increase over the current year’s budget.
“The budget is balanced as required by the charter,” he said. “The focus of the budget is to address the county’s core service needs: public safety, health, education and infrastructure.”
Psota noted that the budget features a proposed tax rate of $0.9070 and an increase in income tax revenue.
“Real property net assessable base increased 4.43%, resulting in our tax rate decreasing from $0.9195 to $0.9070, just over a cent,” he said. “Projections for income tax revenue is $63 million, or an 11.7% increase.”
How can these increases be justified during this severe inflation? Salaries and benefits should hold steady or cut. Also spending on pet projects to benefit the elite in the County should be eliminated. Where is the accountability? Seniors cannot afford all these increases that equal larger and higher income COUNTIES and CITIES in MARYLAND. If thse corrected politians want that type of living then they should move to these areas.
Just look at the waste full spending at the Salisbury Fire Department. They buy equipment that is not needed and constantly ride around to get mileage on the trucks and ambulances. I want more from my high taxes instead of putting it in someone else pocket so they don’t have to pinch pennies to live.
As long as it doesn’t bust the revenue cap or increase local taxes – ok by me!
How about taking some of that money to fix some potholes in the city streets? More paving and less bicycle lanes.
Most of the salary increases are for the employees making over 60 k a year. The Recreation and Parks Directors salary will go from 96k to 120k. Along with a Deputy Director in the same department netting about 17k. Corrections and Emergency Services are proposed for substantial increases too. While employees on the lower end of the scale are getting a whopping 1 k a year increase with some being denied any increase at all.
When Bob Culver was County Executive employees received raises every year he was in office.